Commissioners debate possible purchase of 100+ acre Schwer Road parcel for a school

A member reported that the town council discussed, in executive session, inviting the superintendent to talk about a possible purchase of more than 100 acres at Schwer Road for a new school. Committee member (S1) said the parcel has a rail siding and could support large commercial uses, but cautioned that converting commercial land to town-owned school property would remove taxable land from the grand list.

"The towns are gonna purchase it, and I don't think it's a smart idea to take away one of our largest pieces of land and take it off the tax rolls," Committee member (S1) said. Other commissioners argued that state reimbursement for a new school could cover a large portion of construction costs and that expanding or retrofitting the existing high school might be an alternative.

Participants also raised practical concerns about expanding bus yards on Sullivan Avenue where there is no traffic signal and the potential safety and traffic impacts of buses pulling onto a busy corridor. The commission discussed whether to send a letter to the town council urging retention of the parcel for commercial uses; no formal motion was recorded but members expressed interest in drafting input to the council.